Safety indwelling needle

ABSTRACT

There is provided a safety indwelling needle comprising an inner needle unit  1  having an inner needle  11 , an inner needle hub  13  provided on a proximal end of the inner needle  11  and a needle protecting member disposed at a distal side of the inner needle hub  13 , and an outer needle unit  2  having an outer needle  21 , characterized in that the needle protecting member includes an extendable housing unit  31  and the housing unit  31  can partly store the inner needle  11  therein in a state where the housing unit  31  is extended.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an indwelling needle assembly to beused for fluid infusion, hemodialysis, and the like. More specifically,the present invention relates to a safety indwelling needle providedwith a safety mechanism.

In recent years, a risk of transmission of AIDS, hepatitis virus or thelike to medical personnel caused by accidental puncture by a pointededge of an injection needle or the like, contaminated by blood has beenemerging as a problem. Therefore, a safety indwelling needle for anindwelling needle assembly having an inner needle and an outer needle,which prevents accidental puncture by covering an inner needle after usewithout putting a cap again thereon, has been invented. For example,there is disclosed a safety indwelling needle in which an inner needleis retracted and stored in a needle cover with a spring by pressing abutton provided on the indwelling needle after puncture (for example,Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52499/1998).

Also, there is disclosed a safety indwelling needle in which aspring-type needlepoint protecting means is disposed within an outerneedle hub, and when the inner needle is pulled out, the needlepointprotecting means comes apart from the outer needle hub to cover anextremity of the inner needle (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 102345/2002).

Furthermore, there is disclosed a safety indwelling needle characterizedin that a sliding cover provided on an inner needle is extended and theentire needle is stored therein when the inner needle is pulled out froman outer needle (for example, Japanese Patent No. 3400550 and JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 148270/1995).

In the safety indwelling needles provided with a safety mechanism in therelated art, the needlepoint protecting means for covering the innerneedle pulled out from an outer needle unit is required to have a sizethat affords enough space for accommodating the entire inner needle, andhence the size of the indwelling needle itself is significant. Also, thesafety indwelling needle including a spring as a needlepoint protectingmeans has a problem such that a force required for pulling the innerneedle increases because a friction between the inner needle and theneedlepoint protecting means increases by an urging force of the spring,whereby the usableness is deteriorated. Also, in the safety indwellingneedle having a needlepoint protecting means for storing the entireinner needle by a sliding cover, there is a problem such that shorteningof the length of the sliding member in a constricted state is limited,and the structure becomes complicated by shortening the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present inventionto provide a safety indwelling needle to be used for fluid infusion,hemodialysis and the like, which is provided with an accidental puncturepreventing measure and has a compact and simple structure with greaterusableness.

In other words, the present invention relates to a safety indwellingneedle comprising an inner needle unit having an inner needle, an innerneedle hub provided on a proximal end of the inner needle and a needleprotecting member disposed at a distal side of the inner needle hub, andan outer needle unit having an outer needle, characterized in that theneedle protecting member includes an extendable housing unit and thehousing unit can partly store the inner needle in a state that thehousing unit is extended.

A safety indwelling needle according to the present invention isconfigured to store a predetermined length of an inner needle includingan extremity thereof in a needle protecting member by pulling out aninner needle unit. A compact safety indwelling needle is obtainedbecause the needle protecting member has an extendable housing unitwhich can partly store the inner needle and is smaller than aconventional indwelling needle. Besides, possibility of re-projection ofthe extremity of the inner needle from the needle protecting member iseliminated by preventing a constriction of the housing unit after theinner needle is stored.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The safety indwelling needle of the present invention is described indetail below by referring to preferable embodiments shown in theappended drawings. However, the present invention is not limited tothese embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling needleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention before use.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling needle shownin FIG. 1 after pulling out an inner needle unit.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling needleaccording to another embodiment of the present invention before use.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling needle shownin FIG. 3 after pulling out an inner needle unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling needleaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention beforeuse.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling needle shownin FIG. 5 after pulling out an inner needle unit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling needleaccording to still another embodiment of the present invention beforeuse.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling needle shownin FIG. 7 after pulling out an inner needle unit.

Within the description of the embodiments, a side toward a medicalprofessional during operation is referred to as a proximal side, and aside toward a patient is referred to as a distal side. Also, especiallyin an explanation of an end portion of structural elements, an end ofthe element on the side of the medical professional is referred to as aproximal end and an end of the element on the side of the patient isreferred to as a distal end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First Embodiment

The safety indwelling needle according to a first embodiment shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is used as an indwelling needle especially suitablefor a blood purifying treatment such as artificial dialysis.

The safety indwelling needle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an innerneedle unit 1 and an outer needle unit 2. The inner needle unit 1includes an inner needle 11 having a sharp needlepoint 12 at a distalend of the inner needle 11 and an inner needle hub 13 at a proximal endof the inner needle 11, and an inner needle cap 14 attached to the innerneedle hub 13.

As a needle protecting member, a housing unit 31 includes a firsthousing member 33, a second housing member 34, a third housing member 35and a fourth housing member 36, and a needle covering member 32 forstoring and covering the needlepoint 12 which is a distal end of theinner needle 8. The housing unit 31 is extended and covers a distal endof the inner needle 11 of the inner needle unit 1 when the inner needle1 is pulled out from the outer needle unit 2. In the present embodiment,the first housing member 33 and the inner needle hub 13 are formedintegrally.

The outer needle unit 2 includes an outer needle 21 having a lumen 22,an outer needle hub 23, an outer needle connector 24, a tube 25 havingflexibility for connecting the outer needle hub 23 and the outer needleconnector 24 and an outer needle cap 26.

The outer needle 21 of the outer needle unit 2 is preferably one havinga hollow shape and suitable flexibility. A preferred material for theouter needle 21 is a soft resin such as ethylene-tetrafluoroethyleneco-polymer (ETFE), polyurethane, a polyether-nylon resin, polypropyleneor the like. The outer needle 21 may partly or entirely providevisibility of the interior. It is also possible to blend a contrastmedium for X-ray, such as barium sulfate, barium carbonate or the like,to the material of the outer needle 21 for providing a radiographicfunction.

The distal end of the outer needle 21 is preferably formed into atapered shape in which an outer diameter is gradually reduced toward thedistal end for allowing puncture of a skin of a living body to be easilyperformed in a less invasive manner. It is also possible to provide oneor more holes in a vicinity of the distal end of the outer needle 21 soas to allow liquid flowing inside of the outer needle 21 to efficientlycome in and out.

The outer needle hub 23 is attached to the outer needle 21 at theproximal end thereof in a liquid-tight manner, and the lumen 22 of theouter needle 21 and an interior of the outer needle hub 23 communicatewith each other. The outer needle hub 23 is connected to the tube 25,and the tube 25 is connected to the outer needle connector 24 having afemale luer taper 27 therein to be connected to a separate medicalinstrument. The outer needle connector 24 may have a locking means 28 onan outer periphery of the outer needle connector 24 at a proximal endthereof for connecting the outer needle unit 2 to the separate medicalinstrument. The separate medical instrument may also be connected to thetube 25 by using flexibility of the tube 25 without providing the outerneedle unit with the outer needle connector 24.

The outer needle connector 24 is provided with the outer needle cap 26fitted thereon. Also, the outer needle cap 26 is provided therein with apacking 29 having resiliency that enables the inner needle 11 topenetrate therethrough. The packing 29 closes a through hole made by theinner needle 11 after removal thereof, so that liquid is prevented fromflowing out from a proximal end of the outer needle unit 2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the fourth housing member 36 provided in theinner needle unit 1 is detachably connected to the outer needle cap 26.The connecting means between the outer needle cap 26 and the fourthhousing member 36 is not specifically limited. The housing unit 31 isextended while being connected to the outer needle cap 26 when the innerneedle unit 1 is pulled out from the outer needle unit 2. When thehousing unit 31 reaches a maximally extended state by first stoppers 37provided on the respective housing members 33-35, the fourth housingmember 36 comes off from the outer needle cap 26 by further pulling theinner needle unit 1.

For example, the fourth housing member 36 is detachably connected to theouter needle cap 26 by engaging a flexible hook-shaped member 41provided on the fourth housing member 36 with a projecting portion 42provided on the outer needle cap 26. Alternatively, the hook-shapedmember may be provided on the outer needle cap 26 and the projectingportion may be provided on the fourth housing member 36.

The inner needle 11 is a hollow needle. The material of the inner needle11 may be, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy,titanium or titanium alloy. In view of processability and cost,stainless steel is preferably used for the inner needle 11. The innerneedle 11 is formed with the sharp needlepoint 12 at the distal endthereof. The shape of the needlepoint 12 is not specifically limited,but in the present embodiment, the needlepoint 12 includes a cuttingsurface inclined from an axis of the inner needle 11 by a predeterminedangle.

The inner needle unit 1 is inserted into a cavity of the outer needleunit 2. The housing unit 31 through which the inner needle 11 passes isinterposed between a distal end of the inner needle hub 13 and aproximal end of the outer needle cap 26 so as to be detachably connectedto the proximal end of the outer needle cap 26. The proximal end of theinner needle 11 is secured to a distal end of the first housing member33 in a liquid-tight manner, and a lumen of the inner needle 11communicates with an internal space of the first housing member 33 andthe inner needle hub 13. The inner needle hub 13 is constructed of asubstantially cylindrical hollow member. The means of fixing the innerneedle 11 and the housing member 33 may be, for example, fitting,caulking, fusion bonding, or adhesion by an adhesive agent or the like,or a combination of these means. Furthermore, the inner needle hub 13 ispreferably transparent, colored transparent or translucent so that theinterior of the inner needle hub 13 is visible for observing flashbackof blood.

The inner needle hub 13 may be provided with a ventilation filter 15 ona proximal end thereof. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, the innerneedle cap 14 provided with the ventilation filter 15 may be attached onthe proximal end of the inner needle hub 13. The ventilation filter 15has a characteristic that it transmits gas but blocks liquid. Forexample, various sintered porous members, a hydrophobic non-woven fabricor other porous members may be employed as the ventilation filter 15.The sintered porous member is preferably one obtained by sintering apowdered polymer material such as polyethylene and a material containinghydrophilic, water soluble or water-swelling polymer. The ventilationfilter 15 using such a sintered porous member can prevent air from theoutside from contacting with a liquid such as blood.

As shown in FIG. 2, the needle protecting member according to thepresent embodiment includes the housing unit 31 having the first tofourth housing members 33-36 and the needle covering member 32.

The housing unit 31 is extended by pulling out the inner needle unit 1from the outer needle unit 2. The inner needle 11 can slide relative tothe needle covering member 32, and the distal end portion of the innerneedle 11 including the needlepoint 12 is thereby covered by the needlecovering member 32. Also, the proximal end portion of the inner needle11 is covered by the extended housing unit 31. Therefore, the innerneedle 1 is entirely covered by the extended housing unit 31 and theneedle covering member 32.

When the housing unit 31 is extended to a maximum extended state by thefirst stoppers 37, the housing unit 31 is fixed by second stoppers 38provided on the respective housing members 33-36 so as not to beconstricted. When the inner needle unit 1 is further pulled out in thisstate, the inner needle unit 1 and the outer needle unit 2 are separatedas shown in FIG. 2. The housing members 33-36 of the housing unit 31 maybe provided with a stopper (not shown) which maintains the state inwhich the housing unit 31 is constricted and allows the housing member31 to extend only when the housing member 31 is pulled by a force of acertain degree.

Although the housing unit 31 is composed of a combination of hollowmembers being different in diameter, that is, the first to fourthhousing members 33-36, in FIG. 2, the number of the housing members isnot limited. The axial length of the housing unit 31 in the constrictedstate can be shortened by increasing the number of the housing members.However, employing too many housing members is not preferable becausethe structure or the housing unit 31 becomes complicated and an outerdiameter of the housing unit 31 increases too much. In contrast, whenthe number of the housing members is reduced, the structure of thehousing unit 31 is simplified. However, a total length of the housingunit 31 in a state of being constricted cannot be shortened, thereby thetotal length of the safety indwelling needle increases.

Although the housing members which are increased in diameter toward adistal end are disposed in FIG. 2, housing members which are decreasedin diameter toward the distal end may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the needle covering member 32 is inserted into aninternal space of the outer needle unit 2 when the inner needle unit 1and the outer needle unit 2 are assembled before use. The length of theneedle covering member 32 is preferably such that a distal end of theneedle covering member 32 extends to the vicinity of an extremity withinthe outer needle hub 23 in a state before use as shown in FIG. 1.Although the shape of the needle covering member 32 is not specificallylimited, it is preferably a cylindrical-shape having an inner diametersubstantially same as an outer diameter of the inner needle 11. Thematerial of the needle covering member 32 may be, for example, stainlesssteel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium or titanium alloy. However, inview of processability and cost, stainless steel is preferably used. Theneedlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 formed of metal can be reliablycovered by using metal material for the needle covering member 32.

After the safety indwelling needle shown in FIG. 1 is punctured into abody, the inner needle unit 1 is pulled out from the outer needle unit 2to obtain the state shown in FIG. 2. At this time, the housing unit 31having the fourth housing member 36 is connected to the outer needle cap26 of the outer needle unit 2. Accordingly, as the inner needle unit 1is pulled out from the outer needle unit 2, the housing unit 31 isextended. When the needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 of the innerneedle unit 1 is pulled out until it occupies the internal space of theouter needle unit 2, the needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 iscovered by the needle covering member 32 provided on the fourth housingmember 36 of the inner needle unit 1. When the housing unit 31 isextended to the maximum extended state defined by the first stoppers 37,connection between the fourth housing member 36 and the outer needle cap26 is released by the inner needle unit 1 being further pulled, wherebythe inner needle unit 1 and the outer needle unit 2 are separated asshown in FIG. 2.

The entire inner needle 11 including the needlepoint 12 of the separatedinner needle unit 1 is covered by the extended housing unit 31 and theneedle covering member 32, and the inner needle unit 1 can be safelydiscarded. Also, because the extended housing unit 31 is prevented fromconstricting again by the second stoppers 38 provided on the respectivehousing members 33-36 of the housing unit 31, the needlepoint 12 doesnot become exposed again, whereby the inner needle unit 1 can be furthersafely discarded.

Second Embodiment

The safety indwelling needle according to a second embodiment shown inFIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is mainly used as an indwelling needle for fluidinfusion and the like. In FIGS. 3 and 4, a structural element of thesafety indwelling needle of the second embodiment, which is the same asa structural element of the safety indwelling needle of the firstembodiment, is respectively identified using the same reference numberas in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The safety indwelling needle shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes the innerneedle unit 1 which is substantially the same as the inner needle unit 1of the first embodiment and an outer needle unit 5. The outer needleunit 5 includes an outer needle 51 having a lumen 52 and an outer needlehub 53.

The outer needle 51 of the outer needle unit 5 is employed the same asthe outer needle 2 of the outer needle unit 2 of the first embodiment.The outer needle hub 53 is attached to the outer needle 51 at a proximalend thereof in a liquid-tight manner, and a lumen 52 of the outer needle51 and an interior of the outer needle hub 53 communicate with eachother. The outer needle hub 53 is preferably formed with a female luertaper 54 at an inner surface thereof so as to be capable of connectingwith a medical instrument such as an fluid infusion set or a syringe.The outer needle hub 53 may have a locking means 55 on an outerperiphery of the proximal end so as to allow connection of a separatemedical instrument to the outer needle hub 53.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth housing member 36 provided on the innerneedle unit 1 is detachably connected to the outer needle hub 53. Theconnecting means between the outer needle hub 53 and the fourth housingmember 36 is the same as the connecting means between the outer needlecap 26 and the fourth housing member 36 in the first embodiment. In thecase that the outer needle hub 53 is detachably connected to the fourthhousing member 36 by engaging the hook-shaped member 41 to a projectingportion as described in the first embodiment, the projecting portion maybe the locking means 55 provided on the outer needle hub 53.

The inner needle unit 1 is inserted into a cavity of the outer needleunit 5, and the housing unit 31 through which the inner needle 11 passesis interposed between a distal end of the inner needle hub 13 and aproximal end of the outer needle hub 53, and is detachably connected tothe proximal end of the outer needle hub 53.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the inner needle unit 1 and the outer needleunit 5 are assembled before use, the needle covering member 32 isinserted into an internal space of the outer needle unit 5. The lengthof the needle covering member 32 is preferably such that a distal end ofthe needle covering member 32 extends to a vicinity of an extremitywithin the outer needle hub 53 before using the safety indwelling needleas shown in FIG. 3.

After the safety indwelling needle shown in FIG. 3 is punctured into theskin of a body, the inner needle unit 1 is pulled out from the outerneedle unit 5 to obtain the state shown in FIG. 4. At this time, thehousing unit 31 having the fourth housing member 36 is connected to theouter needle hub 53. Accordingly, as the inner needle unit 1 is pulledout from the outer needle unit 5, the housing unit 31 is extended. Whenthe needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 of the inner needle unit 1 ispulled out until it occupies the internal space of the outer needle unit5, the needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 is covered by the needlecovering member 32 provided on the fourth housing member 36 of the innerneedle unit 1. When the housing unit 31 is extended to the maximumextended state defined by the first stoppers 37, connection between thefourth housing member 36 and the outer needle hub 53 is released by theinner needle unit 1 being further pulled, whereby the inner needle unit1 and the outer needle unit 5 are separated as shown in FIG. 4.

In the safety indwelling needle of the present embodiment, the entireinner needle 11 including the needlepoint 12 of the separated innerneedle unit 1 is covered by the housing unit 31 and the needle coveringmember 32 the same as the safety indwelling needle in the firstembodiment, and the inner needle unit 1 can be safely discarded. Also,since the extended housing unit 31 cannot be constricted again by thesecond stoppers 38 provided on the respective housing members 33-35, theneedlepoint 12 does not project again, whereby the inner needle unit 1can be further safely discarded.

Third Embodiment

The safety indwelling needle according to a third embodiment shown inFIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is mainly used as an indwelling needle especiallysuitable for a blood purifying therapy such as artificial dialysis. InFIGS. 5 and 6, a structural element of the safety indwelling needle ofthe third embodiment, which is the same as a structural element of thesafety indwelling needle of the first embodiment, is respectivelyidentified using the same reference number as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The safety indwelling needle shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes an innerneedle unit 6 and an outer needle unit 2 which is the same as the outerneedle unit 2 of the first embodiment. The inner needle unit 6 includesan inner needle 61 having a sharp needlepoint 62 at a distal end and aninner needle hub 63 at a proximal end, and an inner needle cap 64attached to the inner needle hub 63. In this embodiment, the safetyindwelling needle includes a housing unit 71, which is configured as acombination of hollow members including a first housing member 72, asecond housing member 73 and a third housing member 74 and extendable ina sliding manner, as a needle protecting member.

The third housing member 74 of the housing unit 71 that is provided onthe inner needle unit 6 for storing and covering the needlepoint 62 ofthe inner needle 61 is detachably connected to the outer needle cap 26of the outer needle unit 2. The connecting means of the outer needle cap26 with respect to the third housing member 74 is not specificallylimited. However, preferably, the housing unit 71 is extended by anirregular portion on the inner needle 61 while the distal end of thehousing unit 71 is connected to the outer needle cap 26 when the innerneedle unit 6 is pulled from the outer needle unit 2, and when thehousing unit 71 reaches a maximally extended state by first stoppers 76provided on the respective housing members 72-73 of the housing unit 71,the housing unit 71 comes off from the outer needle cap 26 by furtherpulling the inner needle unit 6. For example, the third housing member74 may be detachably connected to the outer needle cap 26 by engaging aflexible hook-shaped member 77 provided on the third housing member 74to a projecting portion 42 provided on the outer needle cap 26.Alternatively, the hook-shaped member may be provided on the outerneedle cap 26 and the projecting portion may be provided on the thirdhousing member 74.

The inner needle 61 is employed the same as the inner needle 11 of thefirst embodiment. The inner needle 61 is partly formed with an irregularportion on the surface thereof, which is intended for starting anextending operation of the housing unit 71, preventing dropping-out ofthe housing unit 71 from the inner needle unit 6 and holding the housingunit 71 by a hooking member 78 described later. The irregular portionmay be formed, for example, by providing a projection 65 on thecircumferential surface of the inner needle 61. The projection 65 may bea doughnut-shaped projection which is entirely provided along thecircumference thereof, or one or more projections which is or are partlyprovided on the circumference thereof.

The positions of the projections 65 must be such that, as shown in FIG.6, the projection 65 reaches an inner surface on the proximal end in aninternal space of the housing unit 71 when the inner needle unit 6 ispulled out from the outer needle unit 2, the housing unit 71 startsextending when the inner needle unit 6 is further pulled, and theneedlepoint 62 of the inner needle 61 is completely stored within thehousing unit 71 when the housing unit 71 is completely extended.

The projection 65 may be formed at a midsection of the inner needle 61so that the projection is positioned in an internal space of the outerneedle unit 2 in a state in which the inner needle unit 6 and the outerneedle unit 2 are assembled and ready to be used for puncturing.Accordingly, since the irregular portion is not positioned in the cavity22 of the outer needle 21 and a surface of the outer needle 21 is notaffected, the projection 65 of the inner needle 61 does not cause anyinconvenience when a patient's skin is punctured. Therefore, arelatively large projection 65 may be provided, and hence preventing ofdrop-out of the housing unit 71 from the inner needle unit 6 and holdingof the housing unit 71 by the hooking member 78 can be reliablyachieved.

Furthermore, the projection 65 may be formed not in the interior of theouter needle unit 2 but on the proximal side of the inner needle 61. Forexample, the projection 65 may be provided at a position where theprojection 65 resides in the interior of the housing unit 71 at aproximal side from the outer needle 21 in a state before use where theinner needle unit 6 and the outer needle unit 2 are assembled.

The inner needle unit 6 is inserted into the cavity of the outer needleunit 2, and the housing unit 71 through which the inner needle 61 passesis interposed between a distal end of the inner needle hub 63 and aproximal end of the outer needle cap 26 so as to be detachably connectedto the proximal end of the outer needle cap 26. The proximal end of theinner needle 61 is secured to the distal end of the inner needle hub 63in a liquid-tight manner, and a lumen of the inner needle 61communicates with an internal space of the inner needle hub 63. Theinner needle hub 63 is employed the same as the inner needle hub 13 inthe first embodiment, and the means of fixing the inner needle 61 andthe inner needle hub 63 is the same as the means in the firstembodiment. Additionally, a ventilation filter 66 which is the same asthe ventilation filter 15 in the first embodiment is preferably providedon the proximal side of the inner needle hub 63.

As shown in FIG. 6, the housing unit 71 according to the presentembodiment is composed of a combination of substantially cylindricalhollow members of different diameters (the first to third housingmembers 72-74), and may be extended in a sliding manner. The housingunit 71 has openings through which the inner needle 61 passes on adistal end and a proximal end. The shape of the opening on the distalend is not specifically limited, but the opening on the proximal endmust be of a size which does not allow the projection to pass through,and is preferably substantially a circular shape. The housing unit 71may be provided with a hard O-ring (not shown) to reliably prevent theinner needle 61 from passing through the housing unit 71. The O-ring isformed of metal or the like and has an inner diameter that issubstantially equal to an outer diameter of the inner needle 61, allowsthe inner needle 61 to pass through and does not allow the projection 65to pass through. The O-ring is preferably fixed to the interior of thehousing unit 71 on the proximal side.

The projection 65 comes into contact with the inner surface of theopening of the housing unit 71 on the proximal end when the inner needleunit 6 is pulled out from the outer needle unit 2, and the slide-typehousing unit 71 starts extending when the inner needle unit 6 is furtherpulled out. At this time, the inner needle 61 provided with theprojection 65, which contacts with the inner surface of the opening ofthe housing unit 71 on the proximal end, is held by the hooking member78 provided on the housing unit 71 on the proximal end so as not to berelatively moved with respect to the housing unit 71. Then, when theinner needle unit 6 is further pulled out, the housing unit 71 isextended, and when the housing unit 71 reaches a maximally extendedstate by the first stoppers 75 provided on the hollow members whichconstitute the housing unit 71, the housing unit 71 is controlled bysecond stoppers 76 provided on the hollow members so as not to beconstricted. The distal side portion of the inner needle 61 from theprojection 65 including the needlepoint 62 is covered by the extendedhousing unit 71.

The connection between the distal end of the housing unit 71 and theouter needle cap 26 is released by further pulling the inner needle unit6 from a state in which the housing unit 71 is extended to the maximum,and then the inner needle unit 6 and the outer needle unit 2 come off asshown in FIG. 6. The housing members which constitute the housing unit71 may be provided with a stopper (not shown) which maintains the statein which the housing unit 71 is constricted and releases the state whenthe housing unit 71 is pulled by a force of a certain degree.

Although the housing unit 71 is composed of a combination of the threehollow housing members 72-74 being different in diameter in FIG. 6, thenumber of the housing members which constitute the housing unit 71 isnot limited. The axial length of the housing unit 71 in the constrictedstate can be shortened by increasing the number of the housing members.However, employing too many housing members is not preferable becausethe structure of the housing unit 71 becomes complicated and an outerdiameter of the housing unit 71 increases too much. In contrast, whenthe number of the housing members is reduced, the structure of thehousing unit 71 is simplified. However, the total length of the housingunit 71 in a state of being constricted cannot be shortened, thereby thetotal length of the safety indwelling needle increases.

Although hollow members which increase in diameter toward a distal endare shown in FIG. 6, the indwelling needle of the third embodiment isnot limited thereto, and hollow members which decrease in diametertoward the distal end may be used (not shown)

After the safety indwelling needle shown in FIG. 5 is punctured into theskin of a body, the inner needle unit 6 is pulled out from the outerneedle unit 2 to obtain the state shown in FIG. 6. At this time, thedistal end of the housing unit 71 is connected to the outer needle cap26 on the outer needle unit 2. Accordingly, when the projection 65provided on the inner needle 61 reaches the inner surface of the housingunit 71 at the proximal end and the inner needle unit 6 is furtherpulled out from this position, extension of the housing unit 71 isstarted. When the housing unit 71 is extended to the maximum extendedstate defined by the first stoppers 75 and the inner needle unit 6 isfurther pulled out from this state, the connection between the distalend of the housing unit 71 and the outer needle cap 26 is released, andhence the inner needle unit 6 and the outer needle unit 2 are separatedas shown in FIG. 6.

The distal end portion of the inner needle 61 including the needlepoint62 of the separated inner needle unit 6 is covered by the extendedhousing unit 71 and the inner needle unit 6 can be safely discarded.Also, the extended housing unit 71 cannot be constricted again becauseof the second stoppers 76 provided on the housing unit 71, and the innerneedle 61 cannot be relatively moved with respect to the housing unit 71because of the engaging of the projection 65 on the inner needle 61 tothe hooking member 78 within the housing unit 71. Therefore, theneedlepoint 62 of the inner needle 61 is prevented from projecting fromthe housing unit 71 again, and hence the inner needle 62 can be coveredmore safely and more reliably.

Fourth Embodiment

The safety indwelling needle according to a fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is mainly used as an indwelling needle for fluidinfusion or the like. In FIGS. 7 and 8, a structural element of thesafety indwelling needle of the fourth embodiment, which is the same asa structural element of the safety indwelling needle of the second orthird embodiment, is respectively identified using the same referencenumber as in FIGS. 3 to 6.

The safety indwelling needle shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes an innerneedle unit 6 which is substantially the same as the inner needle unit 6of the third embodiment and the outer needle unit 5 which is the same asthe outer needle unit 5 of the second embodiment. The inner needle unit6 includes inner needle 61 having the sharp needlepoint 62 at the distalend and inner needle hub 63 at the proximal end, and inner needle cap 64fitted on the inner needle hub 63. In the present embodiment, the safetyindwelling needle includes the housing unit 71, which is configured as acombination of hollow members including first housing member 72, secondhousing member 73 and third housing member 74 and extendible in asliding manner, as the needle protecting member. The outer needle unit 5includes outer needle 51 having lumen 52 and outer needle hub 53.

The outer needle hub 53 is detachably connected to the third housingmember 74 provided on the inner needle unit 6 for storing and coveringthe needlepoint 62 of the inner needle 61. The connecting means betweenthe outer needle hub 53 and the third housing member 74 is the same asthe connecting means between the outer needle cap 26 and the thirdhousing member 74 in the third embodiment. In the case that the outerneedle hub 53 is detachably connected to the third housing member 74 byengaging a hook-shaped member 77 to the projecting portion as describedin the third embodiment, the projecting portion may be the locking means55 provided on the outer needle hub 53.

After the safety indwelling needle shown in FIG. 7 is punctured into abody, the inner needle unit 6 is pulled out from the outer needle unit 5to obtain the state shown in FIG. 8. At this time, the distal end of thehousing unit 71 is connected to the outer needle hub 53 on the outerneedle unit 5. Accordingly, when the projection 65 provided on the innerneedle 61 reaches the inner surface of the housing unit 71 at theproximal end and the inner needle unit 6 is further pulled out from thisposition, extension of the housing unit 71 is started. When the housingunit 71 is extended to the maximum extended state defined by the firststoppers 75 and the inner needle unit 6 is further pulled out from thisstate, the connection between the distal end of the housing unit 71 andthe outer needle hub 53 is released, and hence the inner needle unit 6and the outer needle unit 5 are separated as shown in FIG. 8.

In the safety indwelling needle of the present embodiment, the distalend portion of the inner needle 61 including the needlepoint 62 of theseparated inner needle unit 6 is covered by the extended housing unit 71the same as the safety indwelling needle in the third embodiment, andthe inner needle unit 6 can be safely discarded. Also, the extendedhousing unit 71 cannot be constricted again due to the second stoppers76 provided on the housing unit 71, and the inner needle 61 cannot berelatively moved with respect to the housing unit 71 due to engaging ofthe projection 65 on the inner needle 61 to the hooking member 78 withinthe housing unit 71. Therefore, the needlepoint 62 of the inner needle61 is prevented from projecting from the housing unit 71 again, andhence the inner needle 62 can be covered more safely and more reliably.

The present application claims priority of Japanese application No.2004-51028 and No. 2004-51029, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

1. A safety indwelling needle comprising: an inner needle unit whichincludes an inner needle, an inner needle hub provided on a proximal endof the inner needle, a needlepoint provided at a distal end of the innerneedle and a needle protecting member disposed at a distal side of theinner needle hub; and an outer needle unit which includes an outerneedle having a lumen and an outer needle hub provided on a proximal endof the outer needle, said safety indwelling needle being characterizedin that the needle protecting member includes an extendable housing unitdisposed between a distal end of the inner needle hub and a proximal endof the outer needle unit and being detachably connected to said outerneedle unit, said inner needle extending through a distal end of saidhousing unit and through the lumen of the outer needle in a state inwhich the housing unit is not extended, and the needlepoint of the innerneedle being stored in the needle protecting member in a state in whichthe inner needle is withdrawn from the lumen of the outer needle and thehousing unit is extended.
 2. The safety indwelling needle according toclaim 1, wherein the outer needle unit further includes an outer needleconnector provided at a proximal side of the outer needle hub, a tubefor connecting the outer needle hub and the outer needle connector, andan outer needle cap provided on a proximal end of the outer needleconnector.
 3. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 1,characterized in that the extendable housing unit is comprised of aplurality of telescoped hollow housing members.
 4. The safety indwellingneedle according to claim 1, wherein the needle protecting memberfurther includes a needle covering member which is connected to a distalend of the housing unit for storing the needlepoint of the inner needlein the state in which the housing unit is extended.
 5. The safetyindwelling needle according to claim 4, wherein the needle coveringmember has a cylindrical-shape having an inner diameter substantiallythe same as an outer diameter of the inner needle.
 6. The safetyindwelling needle according to claim 4, wherein the needle coveringmember is made of metal.
 7. The safety indwelling needle according toclaim 1, wherein a proximal end of the housing unit is connected to adistal end of the inner needle hub.
 8. The safety indwelling needleaccording to claim 1, wherein the inner needle is formed with anirregular portion on a surface thereof, which irregular portion engagesa proximal end of the housing unit and causes said housing unit toextend as said inner needle is withdrawn from the lumen of the outerneedle and the needlepoint of the inner needle to be stored in thehousing unit in the state in which the housing unit is extended.
 9. Thesafety indwelling needle according to claim 8, wherein the housing unitis provided with a hooking member which can be engaged with saidirregular portion on the surface of the inner needle.
 10. The safetyindwelling needle according to claim 8, wherein the irregular portion onthe surface of the inner needle is positioned on a proximal side of theouter needle in a state before use where the inner needle extendsthrough the lumen of the outer needle.
 11. The safety indwelling needleaccording to claim 1, wherein the outer needle unit is provided with aprojecting portion at a proximal end thereof, the housing unit isprovided with a hook-shaped member and the housing unit is detachablyconnected to the outer needle unit by detachable engagement of thehook-shaped member with the projecting portion.